Washboard



E. D. DAVIS WASHBOARD Filed Dec. 23, 1931 Nov. 7, 1933.

flverz afi, dwar J az/ais I L'fii Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATESWASHBOARD Edward D. Davis, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Boye NeedleCompany, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December23, 1931 Serial No. 582,820

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a washboard and is particularly useful inconnection with a hand washboard which is used for cleansing lingerieand fine fabrics in wash-basins, etc. 5 An object of the invention is toprovide a washboard which may be safely and conveniently used inwash-basins, as well as with tubs, for the effective cleansing andwringing of lingerie, fine fabrics, etc., and which, when not in use,may be conveniently suspended so as to occupy a minimum of space.

The invention is illustrated, in its preferred embodiment, in theaccompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a plan view of a washboardembodying my invention; Fig. 2, a sectional View, the section beingtaken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a broken sectional view,the section being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4, a plan view of the reinforcing plate or blank before it has beenbent to assume the position shown in Fig. 2.

In the illustration given, 10 designates a reinforcing plate which maybe formed of sheet metal or any other suitable material. The plate ispreferably of a general rectangular shape and has its corners cut awayat 11. Plate 10 is also provided with a series of perforations 12, asshown more clearly in Fig. 4.

The plate 10, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, is covered on both sides witha resilient and flexible material, such as rubber 13. The rubber backing13a maybe substantially smooth and uniform in thickness. The frontsurfacing 13b is preferably provided with a number of button-like nubs14 which provide a washing surface. In the illustration given, each ofthe nubs 14 is surrounded by a small head 15. If desired, the lower edgeportion of the board may be left free.

4.9 The upper portion 16 of the board is preferably turned atsubstantially right angles so as to form an angular support orsuspension hook. The angular support 16 serves not only as a means forsupporting the washboard against the rim of the -15 wash-basin or tub,but also enables the board to be suspended along the rear edge of thewashbasin, thus occupying little space in a very con venient location.

The upper front surface portion 130 may be left 51) blank or utilizedfor the display of a trade name,

washing directions, etc.

Any suitable method for forming the board may be employed. Onesatisfactory method is to place the blank 10 between two flat sheets ofrubber,

t5 the sheets overlapping the ends and sides of the plate 10, and thensecuring the plate and rubber sheets in a unitary board by vulcanizingthe rubber. The rubber thus passes through and fills the perforations 12in plate 10. In the same operation, a mold is used for forming the nubs14 on the washing surface of the board and any other decorative mattersuch as beads or other ornamental designs, trade names, etc. on otherparts of the board. After the board is thus formed, the top portion ofthe board is turned to form the angular support or hook 16.

In order to render the rubber 13 water-repellant and to impart thereto ahard surface gloss which renders it repellant to dust, etc., Ipreferably treat the rubber with stearine or other suitable materialsuch as paraffin or the like. By the term stearine, as used in theclaim, I intend to include well known equivalents.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the nubs 14 are aligned with theperforated openings 12 in the metal sheet 10, and this increases theyielding of the washing nubs. The yielding board surface presents nosharp or hard edges which would tend to tear the delicate threads ofhosiery and the like.

The board has been found to be especially effective when used inwash-basins or small tubs. For example, a board having the dimensionsof' 4"x7" and having the upper portion thereof turned to form theangular support 16, may be very conveniently used in the ordinarywashbasin to cleanse fine handkerchiefs, lingerie, etc. After use, asheretofore mentioned, the board may be suspended by hook 16 and alongthe rear edge of the wash-basin where it takes up substantially no room.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearnessofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should beunderstood therefrom, but the appended claim should be construed asbroadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:-

A frameless washboard comprising a sheet body of flexible rubber, areinforcing metal plate imbedded within the rubber body and havingspaced perforations therein, said rubber body affording on one sideresilient washing nubs which are transversely aligned with theperforations of said plate.

. EDWARD D. DAVIS.

